‘Split’ has an outstanding debut weekend

It was a huge weekend for horror fans at the box office, as a profile new release exceeded industry expectations. Here’s what went down:

Split, the latest from director M. Night Shyamalan, had an outstanding debut at the box office this weekend, bringing in an estimated $38.5 million. Following the success of 2015’s The Visit, this is the second strong outing in a row for Shyamalan after a decade in the critical and commercial doldrums, and suggests that the director works his magic best with a smaller budget and smaller, more thoughtful films. With an estimated budget of $10 million, Split is already a success.

Debuting in second place with $19.5 is XXX: The Return of Xander Cage. With so much perceived hype surrounding Vin Diesel’s latest, and a budget of $85 million, it’s hard not to look at this number as a massive let down.

As for the rest of the top five, Hidden Figures was in third place with $16.9 million. Sing was in fourth place with $8.4 million, while La La Land closed things out in fifth with $8.2 million.

So, to recap, here were our predictions:

1) Split – $22 million
2) XXX: The Return of Xander Cage – $19.5 million
3) Hidden Figures – $18 million
4) La La Land – $12 million
5) Sing – $8 million

And here’s how the weekend is estimated to turn out:’

1) Split – $38.5 million
2) XXX: The Return of Xander Cage – $19.5 million
3) Hidden Figures – $16.9 million
4) Sing – $8.4 million
5) La La Land – $8.2 million

Next weekend sees the release of Gold, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, and A Dog’s Purpose. Be sure to check back on Friday to see our predictions.